Is nature relatedness associated with better mental health? An exploratory study on Vietnamese university students

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to examine the relationship between nature relatedness (NR) on subjective positive well-being (life satisfaction) and mental disorders (depression, stress, and anxiety) in Vietnamese university students.

Participants

340 Hue University students voluntarily took part in the survey.

Methods

The Nature Relatedness Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used. Bivariate correlation, single regression, and moderation analysis were conducted to investigate the relationship between NR and the mental health of university students and the moderating role of NR.

Results

Higher levels of NR significantly predicted higher levels of life satisfaction but did not significantly predict fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. NR significantly moderated the link between life satisfaction and depression, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusions

The findings of this study imply that efforts to enhance students’ mental health should include efforts to promote their NR.

Keywords:

• mental health
• nature-relatedness
• university students
• Vietnamese

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of Vietnam and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of University of Education, Hue University.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Education. Hue University.